How far is Clifton, NJ from South Orange, NJ?
The driving distance from Clifton, NJ to South Orange, NJ is about 12.7 miles (20.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 9.1 miles (14.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 23m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in New Jersey
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clifton and South Orange.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton and South Orange.
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1
Start on Holly Street
157 m · 27 sec · Holly Street
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2
Turn left onto Donna Drive
733 ft · 35 sec · Donna Drive
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Olga B Terrace
135 m · 21 sec · Olga B Terrace
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4
Turn right onto Hutton Road
12 m · 7 sec · Hutton Road
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5
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
53 m · 13 sec · Olga B Terrace
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6
Turn left onto Clifton Avenue
2821 ft · 1 min · Clifton Avenue
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7
At the end of the road, turn right onto Allwood Road
1069 ft · 31 sec · Allwood Road
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8
Take the ramp left toward NJ 3 West, GSP South
654 ft · 18 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto State Route 3
93 m · 4 sec · State Route 3
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10
Take the exit slight right toward GSP South
2000 ft · 49 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
7.1 mi · 10 min · Garden State Parkway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 280, CR 508: The Oranges, Newark
1207 ft · 29 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on CR 508: Central Avenue
765 ft · 19 sec
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14
Turn straight onto South Oraton Parkway
564 ft · 13 sec · South Oraton Parkway
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15
Continue on Whittlesey Avenue
1952 ft · 39 sec · Whittlesey Avenue
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16
Turn straight onto Maybaum Avenue
1182 ft · 32 sec · Maybaum Avenue
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17
Turn right onto South Orange Avenue
2.6 mi · 6 min · South Orange Avenue
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18
Turn right onto North Ridgewood Road
756 ft · 23 sec · North Ridgewood Road
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19
Turn right
85 m · 20 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clifton and South Orange.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Garden State Parkway
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
7.1 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Clifton and Rain Showers Likely near South Orange.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clifton to South Orange?
The road trip is about 12.7 miles (20.4 km) and usually takes 00h 23m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Glen Ridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.3 miles from Clifton and 6.3 miles from South Orange.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 9.1 miles (14.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.84 one way or $3.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Clifton and Rain Showers Likely near South Orange.
Stop Ideas Near Glen Ridge
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Parking Lot
#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer
City Hall Personnel Office
Diamond City Hall Photography
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Glen Ridge.
Pennsylvania Station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Metropark station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clifton and South Orange. Straight-line distance: 9.12 mi (14.68 km).
#1 Clifton
The most populous city in Passaic County, New Jersey.
| Population | 85,025 |
| Coordinates | 40.8584300, -74.1637600 |
| Altitude | 57 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South Orange
Town in Essex County, New Jersey
| Population | 17,295 |
| Coordinates | 40.7489900, -74.2612600 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Orange (-74.26126, 40.74899)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 20 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $1.84 | $3.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.07 | $4.14 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $2.23 | $4.46 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $2.69 | $5.38 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in New Jersey · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.